Helmut Marko expects the internal title fight at Mercedes to take place this season. Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell hold the first two places in the world championship after three Grands Prix, and according to the former Red Bull advisor, the further development of the cars at the competition will not change that for the time being. ‘There will be tension in the team,’ Marko already warns Mercedes.
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Helmut Marko said goodbye to the Red Bull team last December after twenty years, but still closely follows all developments within Formula 1. The Austrian will even return once more to the paddock during his home race as an ambassador of the Red Bull Ring. Marko also sees how Mercedes currently has the most dominant car on the field, and according to the former Red Bull advisor, that will not change for the time being.
Title fight between Mercedes drivers
“The title fight will probably take place between the Mercedes drivers,” Marko tells ORF. “There will therefore be tension in the team.” The Austrian was especially impressed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian driver achieved his first two consecutive wins at the recent Grands Prix of China and Japan and thus became the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 ever.
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“The situation Kimi is in is very encouraging,” Marko also sees. “He was incredibly fast in the junior competition, and it is great to see how a young driver proves himself like this. The question is whether he can maintain that speed throughout the season. Last year, once the races in Europe had started, Antonelli experienced a significant decline.” The young Mercedes driver scored only 3 world championship points during the European part of the 2025 season, compared to the 48 points he took in the first six races – all outside Europe.
In addition, Marko thinks Kimi Antonelli really has to watch out for his teammate George Russell. “Russell is absolutely the more experienced driver,” the Austrian warns.
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